West Indies search one other upset as World Cup countdown begins

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Not often does a five-match ODI collection turn into the point of interest of any fashionable tour however, 100 days out from the World Cup, that is arguably the principle occasion for each West Indies and England. Whereas the vacationers, so lacklustre throughout their Check defeat, will step out after a fast change of clothes because the No. 1-ranked ODI aspect, able to hone their plans within the run-in to a event for which they’re heat favourites, West Indies should try to channel the temper of optimism at the moment suffusing Caribbean cricket into an upturn in kind of their weakest format.

Jason Holder’s contribution to victories within the first two Exams towards England (earlier than he was suspended over his workforce’s sluggish over price) additional enhanced his status as a formidable younger chief – however whereas the Check aspect has steadily come collectively over the past two years, outcomes have been tougher to come back by in ODIs. Holder was appointed captain earlier than the final World Cup, aged simply 23, and has nonetheless to supervise a bilateral collection win after 11 makes an attempt.

There have been sparks of encouragement in India earlier than Christmas, when West Indies received one recreation and tied one other (which they in all probability ought to have received) whereas the collection was nonetheless alive, as Shai Hope and Shimron Hetmyer shone with the bat; however they went on to lose in Bangladesh, with Holder absent by harm, and are set to rejig their aspect once more simply three months out from the World Cup.

The likes of Chandrapaul Hemraj, Kieran Powell and Roston Chase have been distributed with, whereas Andre Russell and Evin Lewis stay unavailable regardless of each enjoying within the BPL last 11 days in the past. Chris Gayle is a welcome returnee, and is certain to convey some “Universe Boss” charisma to proceedings in what is about to be his last residence collection earlier than retirement, whereas John Campbell might make a debut after impressing within the Exams. However little in regards to the workforce is settled.

England’s gamers, against this, know their roles backwards and you may just about pencil of their 15-man World Cup squad already – although the tantalising prospect of Jofra Archer turning into eligible subsequent month provides slightly spice. Is Mark Wooden able to replicating his 90-plus mph burst with the purple ball in St Lucia? Can Liam Plunkett nonetheless harvest common middle-overs wickets along with his back-of-a-length hostility? How match is Chris Woakes (and David Willey)? These are among the questions prone to preoccupy Eoin Morgan over the subsequent two weeks – although, because the Exams demonstrated, it could pay to not be complacent.

Chris Gayle is again within the fold for West Indies Getty Photos

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Within the highlight

The highlight is the place Chris Gayle likes to be, and the announcement that he’s to name it a (one-)day after the World Cup will be sure that he casts an extended shadow in a squad mild on expertise. Gayle has solely performed 15 ODIs for the reason that final World Cup, passing 50 thrice, whereas his returns on the worldwide T20 circuit have slipped from unparalleled greatness to merely excellent. However only one sweetly struck six into the Kensington Oval crowd could possibly be sufficient to mild some farewell fireworks.

Speaking of explosive openers, England have a pair in Jonny Bairstow and Jason Roy. Whereas Bairstow’s position within the Check aspect has been topic of a lot dialogue – from batting and retaining at No. 5, to specialist No. three again all the way down to No. 7 and reclaiming the gloves – he has appeared relaxed along with his belligerent transient in one-day cricket. Roy, in the meantime, might look to push his Ashes credentials by way of white-ball success. With Alex Hales hovering, neither will need to expertise a dip in kind.

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Campbell seems set to win his maiden ODI cap just some weeks after coming into the Check workforce, whereas Nicholas Pooran, a member of the T20I aspect, can also be in line for a possible debut. Kemar Roach could also be rested, following his Check exploits, whereas Carlos Brathwaite has solely simply flown in from the Pakistan Tremendous League.

England rested Jos Buttler for his or her warm-up match on Sunday however he’s set to fit again in forward of Hales. Woakes received by seven overs towards the UWI Vice-Chancellor’s XI, having struggled for health throughout the Check leg of the tour, whereas Wooden was most well-liked as his new-ball companion, which might imply Willey and Tom Curran are the bowlers to overlook out.

Pitch and circumstances

There has solely been one 300-plus whole on the Kensington Oval within the final 10 years – made by England in 2017 – however the pitch is anticipated to be a superb one. The forecast is for a heat, humid day with some cloud cowl however minimal likelihood of rain.

Stats and Trivia

England have received their final 9 ODIs towards West Indies, together with a 186-run thrashing in Barbados two years in the past.

Joe Root wants 54 runs to turn into the fourth Englishman to achieve 5000 in ODIs.

Quotes

“We have now received to be clear on our bowling – England pack a heavy punch of their batting, they bat deep, and are top-ranked for a cause. We have now to be exact. The way in which ODI cricket has gone, 300-320 is par as of late.”West Indies captain Jason Holder is aware of England shall be gunning with the bat

“We received overwhelmed by Scotland final 12 months and they’re ranked decrease than West Indies. Any aspect could be a risk on the day. West Indies are very sturdy in the mean time and we’re not taking them frivolously.”England captain Eoin Morgan says they will not underestimate the opposition